I have been fishing Atlantic Salmon for years and I still have problem with this. I use a single handed rod, fish down stream and cast at a 45 degree angle. I have trouble making this change of direction. How do you do this? Some say to point the rod in the direction you want the line to go befor you start your cast, but this dosn't make for a very good back cast. Any suggestions. Thanks for any help.

Strip in some line and make the initial line pickup/backcast for making a false cast in the direction you wish to make your cast land, and don't shoot line on this false cast. Then make a second backcast, shoot some line into the backcast to extend it. Finally, make your forward delivery cast with a double haul and shoot the rest of the line for your cast. The cast will go right where you wish.

1) make sure you are using only the tapered portion to make the next cast, in other words you will need to have all running portion of the line pulled inside the guides. Bring the rod tip near the water aligned with the line and make a smooth pick up into the first backcast...

2) turn the body half the way as you make your backcast, then make a false cast over the 27.5 degree mark

3) turn the body the rest of the way as you make the second backcast, then cast to the 45 degree point and shoot the running line.

Divide by as many false casts as necessary to achieve the angles you want.

Using the word "spey"...

If you're a righty on the left bank throw a single spey with a haul (referred to as "turbo spey"). One motion, 45 or more degree change.

From the right bank a righty throws a snake roll and the line will cast to the target with one motion. A double spey will do same but with the added lay down move before the sweep.

I am sure you will get many good responses, but this question sure emphasizes the convenience of spey casting on rivers to me!